Dry food dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dry food dispenser includes a base, a container, and an actuation mechanism. The base supports the dispenser, provides a cradle for receiving a food receptacle, and a trigger for interacting with the actuation mechanism. The container includes a lateral surface formed around an interior volume and a dispensing mechanism with a chute, an outlet, and a portioning mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is activated by the trigger through means of the actuation mechanism. The dispensing mechanism allows for example cereal to flow from the interior volume, through the chute, and out of the outlet. The portioning mechanism controls how much cereal is dispensed each time the trigger is engaged, ensuring a consistent volume of cereal deposited in the food receptacle. The amount of cereal in the container is indicated by measurement markings on a transparent section of the lateral surface.

REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/725,321 filed on Nov. 12, 2012, and to U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/078,192 filed on Nov. 12, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensers and more particularly, to a dry food personal apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cereal is a healthy and popular option of breakfast food. Many brands and types of cereal are available in non-re-sealable bags that make it difficult to maintain freshness of the cereal. Freshness is highly important as cereal easily becomes stale and unappealing to consume. Because cereal is often consumed with milk, the cereal can quickly become soggy if not consumed within a short time period once over milk or unappealing to consume as well if too large a quantity is poured with the milk. Additionally, once the cereal has been poured in larger amounts than really wanted by the consumer, the remaining becomes waste, disposing both, milk and cereal. Some conventional cereal dispensers merely dispense an uncontrolled amount of foodstuff requiring several actuations to get the proper amount of cereal into the bowl. The user typically has to let go of the bowl with at least one hand in order to operate the dispenser. During dispensing, the user sometimes lacks sufficient control of the bowl to hold it steady causing splashing from the milk inside. The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned issues of maintaining cereal freshness, avoiding sogginess with cereal poured with milk, avoiding cereal disposal by serving the appropriate portion (controlled portions as needed), and providing control over the bowl during dispensing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a personal apparatus including a container that stores cereal, maintains the freshness of the cereal, and dispenses the cereal under control. The personal apparatus is capable of dispensing the cereal within the container at the direction of the user. A container is attached to a base that holds the container and a receptacle such as a bowl in place. A chute is used to deposit the cereal into a food receptacle after it has been dispensed from the container. The dispensing mechanism is activated by the user engaging a trigger on the base of the personal apparatus. The cereal is dispensed every time the trigger is engaged in, letting a controlled portion of cereal slide down a chute positioned over the bowl. A pair of curved arms surrounds a portion of the bowl and helps keep the bowl in place while the user activates the trigger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a dry food dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the dry food dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the dry food dispenser of FIG. 1 with an internal view of an actuation system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the dry food dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top, left side perspective view of the dry food dispenser of FIG. 1, with the bowl omitted for sake of illustration.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the actuation system of FIG. 3 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the rest of the container and base omitted for sake of illustration.

FIG. 6B is a series of side views of the actuation system of FIG. 6A illustrating trigger and actuation of dispensing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the dry food dispenser of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram representing connection of the trigger to the dispensing mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a diagram representing the engagement of the trigger and actuation mechanism to other components of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In general, embodiments disclose a personal food dispensing apparatus (referred to in general as, the “dispenser”), configured for use with dry foods, for example cold cereal. As may be appreciated by aspects disclosed in the following, the dispenser enhances the breakfast experience of pouring cereals by providing control to the user holding the bowl while trigger the dispense of dry food.

Referring now to the Figures in general, exemplary embodiments of the dispenser comprise a base 1, a container 2, and an actuation mechanism 3, with the container 2 being connected atop the base 1. The base 1 comprises a cradle 11, an indent 12, and a trigger 13, while the container 2 comprises an interior volume 21, a lateral surface 22, a lid 23, and a dispensing mechanism 24. The dispensing mechanism 24 is positioned below the interior volume 21, allowing cereal stored in the interior volume 21 to be dispensed, preferably into a waiting food receptacle 4 such as a cereal bowl. The dispensing mechanism 24 is utilized by engaging the trigger 13, which is operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanism 24 as shown in FIG. 8B.

The base 1, visible in FIG. 1-FIG. 5, serves as a support for the container 2 in addition to providing a partial enclosure for securing the food receptacle 4. The partial enclosure is provided by the cradle 11, which comprises a central section 111, a first arm 112, and a second arm 113 as pictured in FIG. 5. The first arm 112 is adjacently connected to one side of the central section 111, while the second arm 113 is adjacently connected to a second side of the central section 111 opposite the first arm 112. Depicted in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, a receiving area is formed between the central section 111, the first arm 112, and the second arm 113, intended for the food receptacle 4. Subsequently, the food receptacle 4 is positioned adjacent to the central section 111 and between the first arm 112 and the second arm 113. The first arm 112 and the second arm 113 are preferably curved to better match the hemispherical contour of the commonly used cereal bowl. The indent 12 is positioned on the side of the base 1, adjacent to the first leg opposite the central section 111. In the preferred embodiment a single indent 12 is provided on the left rear of the base 1 (FIG. 7), but in other embodiments the indent 12 can be positioned on the right side, and potentially two indents 12 can be provided as part of a “one size fits all” solution. The indent 12 forms an ergonomic recess in the base 1, and makes activating the trigger 13 easier and more comfortable for a user. The indent 12 provides a surface for the user fingers to fit and simultaneously press the trigger 13. The trigger 13 is positioned adjacent to the indent 12 and, by means of the actuation mechanism 3, allows the dispensing mechanism 24 of the container 2 to be activated. As may be appreciated, the food receptacle 4 may be held firmly within the pair of curved arms 112 and 113 against the central section 111 by the user encircling the food receptacle 4 with his or her thumbs. Simultaneously the user may use his or her fingers grasp the rear of the base 1 and reach the trigger 13. Thus, the food receptacle 4 is firmly positioned to receive food stuff from the chute directly above it while the dispenser is activated. This exemplary configuration helps prevent the food receptacle 4 from moving during dispensing which may potentially spill fluid contents (for example, milk) held therein. In alternative embodiments where two indents 12 are provided, a second trigger 13 can also be provided, with one trigger 13 for each indent 12.

The container 2, visible in FIG. 1-FIG. 5, is used to store the cereal as well as dispense the cereal upon request. The interior volume 21, which is delineated by the lateral surface 22, serves to store the cereal. The interior volume 21 can be accessed and refilled through a top opening. During regular use, the interior volume 21 is covered by the lid 23, which is positioned atop the interior volume 21 opposite the base 1. In order to make the lid 23 easy to open and close, the lid 23 is hingedly connected to a top edge of the lateral surface 22. As a result, gaining access to the interior volume 21 is a simple as flipping the lid 23 open. Providing an exit for the cereal stored within the interior volume 21 is the dispensing mechanism 24. The dispensing mechanism 24 comprises a chute 241 and an outlet 242. The chute 241 provides a pathway for cereal, terminating at the outlet 242. Preferably, the chute 241 is inclined, i.e. diagonal, in reference to the container 2. Providing an inclined chute 241 minimizes normal force and the resulting friction, such that cereal is better able to slide and less likely to become stuck in the chute 241. The outlet 242 is positioned below the interior volume 21 and above the cereal bowl, such that the force of gravity is sufficient to draw cereal from the interior volume 21 through the chute 241 and exiting the outlet 242. In this manner the chute 241 provides fluid communication between the interior volume 21 and the outlet 242, useful not only for dispensing of cereals but a number of other foodstuffs. Potentially, in order to prevent cereal from being poured when the present invention is not in use, the dispensing mechanism 24 can comprise an outlet cover, useful to prevent insects or debris from entering the interior volume through the outlet. This outlet cover, which is preferably removable and made from a soft plastic, rubber, or similar material, is selectively positioned over the outlet 242, in either a closed configuration or an open configuration. In the open configuration, the outlet cover does not block cereal from flowing through the outlet 242, allowing the present invention to be used to dispense cereal. In the closed configuration, the outlet cover closes off the outlet 242 for when the present invention is not being actively used. To ensure that the cereal does not get stuck in the interior volume 21, the floor of the container 2 is funnel-shaped, ensuring that cereal continues to fall towards the chute 241 rather than clumping and becoming stuck on the sides of the floor adjacent to the chute 241.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7, an exemplary embodiment of the actuation system 3 is shown sans the surrounding dispenser structure. The actuation system 3 may include the trigger 13 connected to a rack 244 and pinion 245, which in turn may be coupled to a dispensing wheel 247 via a gear 246. The trigger 13 may be spring loaded. For example, a spring 250 may be positioned horizontally within a channel of trigger body 243. The arm 112 (FIG. 3) may be hollow and configured to provide clearance for the trigger body 243′s movement along a horizontal axis. In a default (untriggered) position, a stop 248 on the end of the spring 250 abuts a detent on a distal end of a projection of the trigger body 243. Referring to FIG. 6B, in operation, as the user holds both arms 112 and 113 (FIG. 1) to keep the bowl 4 in place under the chute 241, the user's left hand may squeeze the trigger 13 toward the user causing an opposing element (not shown for sake of illustration) in the interior of the arm 112 to push the stop 248 and spring 250 into the trigger body 243. The rack 244 may cap the trigger body 243. A spring 249 positioned internally of the rack 244 may bias the rack up toward the pinion 245. Horizontal movement of the trigger body 243 may cause teeth of the rack 244 to engage teeth on the pinion 245 creating counter-clockwise rotation in the pinion 245. In response, the pinion 245 teeth engage the teeth of the gear 246 causing the gear 246 to rotate clockwise. Foodstuff (not shown) in the arms of the dispensing wheel 247 is carried about the axis of rotation until the foodstuff is in alignment with and free to fall out through the outlet 242 down the chute 241. Releasing the trigger 13 causes the spring 250 to bias the trigger body 243 back to its default position. The teeth 244 will slide down when returning to their original position with the help of spring 250. The spring 249 may compress to allow for vertical movement of the rack 244 until the teeth of the rack and pinion 244; 245 are aligned into respective teeth pockets. The dispensing wheel 247 may include paddle arms that are configured to provide a pre-defined volume between adjacent arms so that each squeeze of the trigger 13 meters out a volume (for example, approximately a soup spoon or tablespoon) of foodstuff, for example, cereal that will be projected to remain crunchy while being consumed in a bowl of milk. As will be appreciated, the amount of foodstuff dispensed by operation of the apparatus is easily consumable before it becomes soggy in milk and thus provides for example crunchy cereal enjoyed throughout the consumption of the bowl contents to the enjoyment of the user.

The lateral surface 22 of the container 2 comprises at least one transparent section 221 and a plurality of measurement markings 222, both of which are visible in FIG. 3-FIG. 5. These components aid a user in quickly identifying the volume of cereal remaining in the interior volume 21. The transparent section 221 allows a person to see inside the container 2, providing a visual indication of the amount of cereal. In order to provide a more accurate estimate of how much cereal remains, the plurality of measurement markings 222 are systematically positioned on the transparent section 221, with each of the measurement markings 222 indicating a volume of cereal. For example, measurement markings 222 may be provided at quarter-cup, half-cup, or single cup increments. Potentially, the measurement markings 222 may be provided for different unit standards, such as cups and liters. There is also the possibility of providing additional transparent sections 221, such that the contents of the interior volume 21 are visible from any angle, instead of only being visible from one side of the container 2.

To enhance the cereal dispensing experience, the present invention comprises a power source 5, a chipset 6, and at least one speaker 7, as represented in FIG.8A. The power source 5 and chipset 6 are provided to operate the speaker 7, with the power source 5 and chipset 6 being housed in the base 1. The power source 5 is electrically connected to the speaker 7 and chipset 6, supplying the necessary energy for their operation. The chipset 6 is electronically connected to the speaker 7, allowing the chipset 6 to operate the speaker 7. The speaker 7 is housed and mounted within the container 2. In order to allow sound from the speaker 7 to exit the container 2, the lateral surface 22 comprises at least one grated section 223 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which the speaker 7 is positioned adjacent to. The speaker 7 enhances the cereal dispensing experience by playing a song, message, or any other pleasing aural clip. Such noises are especially enjoyed by children, as it appeals to their sense of sound. The speaker 7 is actuated, along with the dispensing mechanism 24, by the trigger 13. Resultantly, the speaker 7 is only active during the dispensing process, remaining quiet when the present invention is not in use. Potentially, additional grated sections 223 and speakers 7 could be provided to increase the volume of sounds produced, positioned opposite each other around the lateral surface 22.

Potentially, a display screen 8 can be mounted onto the front face of the lateral surface 22 of the container 2, above the central section 111 of the base 1, which is also represented in FIG. 8A. Similar to the speaker 7, the display screen 8 is electrically connected to the power source 5 and electronically connected to the chipset 6. The display screen 8 can simply be used to provide information, such as date, time, or even the amount of cereal left in the container 2, as measured by a weight sensor. An interface can also be provided for the display screen 8, either through a physical interface mounted on the base 1 adjacent to the display screen 8 or by making the display screen 8 a capacitive touch screen. The interface can be used to control other components of the present invention, such as changing the music played by the speaker 7.

Different embodiments of the present invention can utilize different variants of the described actuation mechanism 3. For example, in one embodiment the actuation mechanism 3 comprises a transmitter and a receiver, each of which is electrically connected to the power source 5. Engaging the trigger 13 causes the transmitter to send a signal to the receiver. The receiver then activates the dispensing mechanism 24 by opening the chute 241.

The actuation mechanism 3 does not need to be electrical, and in one embodiment in comprises a lever system. In this embodiment a lever arm connects the trigger 13 with the dispensing mechanism 24, such that engaging the trigger 13 causes the lever to pull on the dispensing mechanism 24 and open the chute 241. In this manner a non-electrical actuation mechanism 3 can be provided. A non-electrical actuation mechanism 3 is beneficial compared to an electrical actuation mechanism 3 as it reduces cost, complexity, and power requirements.

As envisioned by the inventor, the present invention, with one of its principal target audience being children, could potentially be made in versions that will feature the images of cartoon characters, animals, or public figures popular with a young demographic, provided the appropriate licenses can be secured by the manufacturer. Expanding upon the heretofore described components, the present invention may be visually enhanced with aesthetically pleasing markings and accessories oriented towards the aforementioned target demographic. These visual enhancements increase the appeal of the present invention in the eyes of children, for whom a number of themes and designs could be provided. For example, the present invention may be decorated to look like an animal or a character from popular children's media. These enhancements, along with the speaker 7, make the present invention more enjoyable for children and increase marketing potential.

Overall, the present invention provides an entertaining, simple, and effective personal apparatus for dispensing foodstuff such as cereal into an appropriate receptacle, in addition to storing cereal and sealing the cereal from the exterior environment. This allows the cereal to maintain freshness to a greater degree than a non-re-sealable plastic bag would allow.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dry food dispensing apparatus comprises: a base including a pair of curved arms projecting from the base configured for receipt of a bowl; a container connected atop the base, the container comprising an interior volume, a lateral surface, a lid, a chute and an upwardly facing bowl-shaped outlet, the chute being positioned below and in fluid communication with the interior volume; the outlet being positioned above the cradle, the distal ends of the pair of curved arms are positioned beyond an end of the chute; and a trigger button operatively coupled to a dispensing wheel configured to dispense foodstuff out the chute, the trigger button positioned behind one of the pair of curved arms and on the base.
 2. The dry food dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger is positioned in an indent on a rear of the base.
 3. The dry food dispensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rack and pinion system coupling the trigger button to the dispensing wheel.
 4. The dry food dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger button is spring-loaded.
 5. The dry food dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing wheel is a paddle wheel.
 6. The personal food dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing wheel includes paddle arms that are configured to provide a pre-defined volume between adjacent arms wherein a squeeze of the trigger button meters out a volume of foodstuff. 